Park Vista High School is coming off of an 8-3 season that ended with a loss in the Regional Quarterfinal game against the Vero Beach Fighting Indians. The cobras have appeared in the playoffs for the past couple of years and are hoping to do the same this year. After losing 22 players to graduation last year, the once reigning Cobras of Park Vista are now considered the underdogs.
"Everybody believes we can't make another playoff apperance this season because we lost so many seniors, but we are ready to prove them wrong" coach Brian Dodds of Park Vista said.
It's clear that the cobras have a lot to prove this upcoming season on both sides of the ball. After losing Andrew Schoenfield (6-0,280) and Connor Ference (6-3,290) who provided great size up front on the offensive line,the Cobras are hoping to replace them with Jonald Joseph, Kevin Sampson and Mike Rancour who will all be seniors this upcoming year.
"I'm going to go all out this season", Park Vista's starting right guard Jonald Joseph said. " It's my last year playing high school football and im going to make it count".
With Park Vista mostly being a running team, the offensive line plays a big role in the cobras' playbook. The offense returns five starters including D-1 prospect Tre Mason, one of the county's top 10 runningbacks who gained 1,554 yards and scored 17 touchdowns last year as a sophomore for the Cobras and is hoping to get the ball even more this year.
The defense also returns five starters who is led by captains Demaris Freeman (FS) and Ryan Fleming (MLB).
The Cobras' regular season schedule is highlighted with three high-profile games, in which they will host the Dwyer Panthers, Atlantic Eagles and the Boca Raton Bobcats.
To get ready for this season, the Cobras worked out in the weightroom all summer in addition to doing various drills in 90 degree heat. With a tough district this year, the Cobras are hoping to enter the season with lots of confidence and energy.
"I believe we have a good team this year," coach Eric Luchina said." There's a great possibility we can make it to the playoffs and win states for the first time in the school's history."
Park Vista will be traveling for miles to open up their season vs the Jupiter Warriors on Sept. 4.
